Former Louisiana Wildlife Secretary Indicted on Corruption Charges

News Summary

Jack Montoucet, the ex-secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, has been indicted on federal corruption charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. Pleading not guilty, Montoucet faces over 20 years in prison if convicted. His indictment follows his resignation amid corruption allegations tied to awarding a state contract for educational courses. Co-conspirators Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques have pleaded guilty. The ongoing investigation highlights public corruption issues in Louisiana.

Lafayette, Louisiana – Jack Montoucet, the former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), has been indicted on federal corruption charges. Montoucet, 77, appeared in federal court on June 12, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to five charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, three counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Montoucet could face over 20 years in prison and fines reaching up to $1 million.

Montoucet was released on a $15,000 unsecured bond with specific conditions: he must surrender his passport, restrict travel to the United States, and relinquish any owned weapons. His indictment follows his resignation from LDWF on April 14, 2023, amid allegations of involvement in the corruption scheme.

Details of the Allegations

The indictment outlines a conspiracy allegedly involving Montoucet, Dusty Guidry, and Leonard Franques. Guidry was a former appointee to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, while Franques is a Lafayette businessman. The charges suggest that Montoucet and his co-conspirators awarded a state contract to Franques’ company, DGL1, LLC. This contract involved providing online educational courses for sportsmen seeking to resolve citations.

Reports indicate that Montoucet was allegedly set to receive kickbacks totaling $122,508.96, disguised as a “signing bonus” to be paid after his retirement. The conspiracy reportedly spanned from May 2020 to June 2022. The total revenue generated for LDWF from the contract with DGL1 between November 10, 2021, and June 10, 2022, was recorded at $454,174.14.

Co-conspirators’ Cases

Dusty Guidry has already pleaded guilty to charges related to this kickback scheme, as well as another case involving the Lafayette District Attorney’s Office. Likewise, Leonard Franques pleaded guilty in January for his role and had been indicted in December 2023. Additionally, Gary Haynes, an assistant district attorney, has been indicted as part of the broader investigation into these corruption allegations.

Ongoing Investigations

Federal authorities continue to investigate the alleged corruption involving Montoucet and his co-conspirators. The situation underscores the gravity of corruption issues within public offices and the legal consequences that officials may face when involved in illicit activities.

Montoucet is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The legal proceedings will unfold as both sides prepare their cases, with potential implications for public trust and governance in Louisiana.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• The Advocate
• KADN
• KPLC
• Wikipedia: Corruption in the United States
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption